Surface Mount vs Through Hole – Which one is the best for your next project?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: February 14, 2022
surface-mount-vs-through-hole

Today, all modern electronic devices contain printed circuit boards (PCB) on which various electronic components like capacitors, resistors, integrated circuits, transformers, and so on are connected. And there have been two primary methods for mounting these electrical components onto the PCBs – surface mount and through-hole.

There has been a never-ending debate over which type of components should be used – surface mount or through-hole. If you face are as puzzled as everyone else, you are at the right place. In this article, we cover some of the basic differences between SMT and through-hole and help you make the right choice for your next project.

What are SMT and through-hole technologies?

Initially, through-hole parts were the only known components that were prevailing when printed circuit boards came into production. With time, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) saw the light of the day and became popular. Now, it is the most dominant component type used in the PCBs.

In the surface mount technology (SMT) method, you mount the components directly on the surface of the PCB using a solder. And the majority of electronic hardware manufactured today has PCBs that are assembled using this SMT method.

In the through-hole method, you take a bare PCB and drill holes onto it. The leads of the components are inserted here. With the rise of surface mount technology assembly, this process may seem to be obsolete, but TMT has its own benefits and still relevant.

Manufacturing Differences

There are some notable manufacturing differences between SMT and through-hole components.

There are two ways for soldering components onto the printed circuit boards –

  • Wave solder
  • Solder reflows

Although not a hard-and-fast rule, but most of the SMT components are solder reflowed, while through-hole components are wave soldered. In the through-hole PCB assembly technique, even if the components are inserted into the holes that are drilled, the circuit boards are run through a wave soldering for forming a strong solder joint. Quite often, through-hole parts are manually inserted.

For SMT components, solder paste is directly applied to the pads keeping the leads of the components in one place. The solder paste reflows when the PCB runs through the specialized oven. Here, a solid solder joint is formed. If you are using a mixed type, then a mixture of both wave solder and solder reflow is required. There are automated pick-and-place machines that are readily available that can handle a variety of components in a reliable fashion.

Benefits of SMT and Through-hole

Let us understand why SMT component types are used frequently –

Size – SMT components or parts are small or miniature by default. There is no need for drilling down the holes. This looks clean and attractive especially in the age wherein electronics come with smaller board sizes.

Availability – Today, SMT has taken over the through-hole components. They are smaller and replaced the through-hole parts like resistors, capacitors, etc.

Performance – The use of smaller parts in SMT makes the electrical signals travel through a less distance. This reduces the signal flight time as well. Hence SMT components offer better electrical performance than through-hole components.

Cost-effective – SMT parts are usually less expensive than the through-hole counterparts.

Let’s quickly look into the benefits of through-hole parts as well.

Availability – If you need larger parts that are used in high-power applications, it may be difficult to find an SMT equivalent part. Through-hole parts are readily available.

Strength – If there is constant stress that the parts have to go through, SMT solder joints may break. In such cases, components like connectors, switches, and other interface parts need the strength that is effectively provided from the leads soldered into a drilled hole.

Power – SMT is not a good option for high power circuits as it is difficult for SMT soldering to achieve strong solder joint. Hence a through-hole technique offers a more robust mechanical strength for thermal, high voltage, and mechanical stability.

Other differences between SMT and through-hole

In SMT, more components can be mounted on the circuit board as the SMT components are smaller in size. Also, both sides of the board can be utilized. Space issues won’t be a problem which is usually the case in the through-hole process. You can have smaller and lighter designs that are powerful and faster through the SMT process.

If you wish to have high production volumes, then go for the SMT process as it offers a lower cost per unit.

Even the pin count or component lead count on SMT is large when compared to the through-hole process.

But SMT Printed circuit boards needs some heavy capital investment for setting up the machinery and production process. This is significantly larger than the through-hole process.
Also, the level of skill, design, technology, and production required for implementing the SMT is advanced than the through-hole.

SMT Or Through Hole?

At the outset with automated equipment, smaller size components, and cost-effectiveness, SMT components may seem to be the best choices for your printed circuit board designs. But don’t make such a mistake and jump to any conclusion. Both the component styles are equally important. These advantages do not imply the end of through-hole components.

Most of the integrated circuits go for the SMT package. However, for connectors, switches, or mechanical power parts, the standard way is to use through-hole parts. Also, legacy boards still use through-hole parts to fulfil your exact requirements. The robust through-hole parts are going to be of utility for a longer time.

Conclusion
A contest between surface mount vs through hole on the circuit board has been a long drawn one. There is no clear winner in this debate as each component type serves a different function and most of the time, the majority of the PCBs prefer a mixed type that involves both types. The key thing is to choose the right part for your specific project. The next important thing is to find the right PCB Assembly services. Technotronix has over 4 decades of experience and equipment to manufacture both types of component packages efficiently. We ensure the highest level of quality for your circuit board in both cases.

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How does the Mixed Model Assembly become a multi-objective to meet the growing industrial demand?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: September 7, 2024
Mixed Model Assembly

In one plate, Mixed model assembly provides the perfect balance of productive efficiency and flexibility of work. As the demand of the electronic market increases exponentially, a time-to-time updated device is very important to survive in the industry. A mixed model makes the assembly in such a strategy that it is simple to use but at the same time effective.

What is Mixed Model Assembly?

A mixed-model assembly is a union of some identical group product that shares a similar type of work as the content of the task, process of functioning, materials used in manufacturing, etc.
The main aim of developing is to handle the rush of markets. To tackle the rapid change of the electronic industry and make the device flexible to work according to situations.

Mixed-model assembly involves grouping similar products that share common tasks, processes, and materials used in manufacturing. This approach is designed to address market demands and adapt to rapid changes in the electronic industry. By implementing mixed-model assembly in printed circuit board manufacturing, manufacturers can efficiently handle various PCB types and configurations on the same production line. This flexibility ensures that devices are adaptable to changing situations and market requirements, enhancing overall operational efficiency and responsiveness in the printed circuit board assembly process.

Benefits of Mixed Model Assembly

The benefits are so prominent that they cannot be described in one sentence. It improves the widespread productiveness of the assembly. Some of the benefits are described in the following points below –

  • The time required for the manufacturing is very short. It works so rapidly that it seems like no time in the formation of the layout. This criterion is very important to catch the customer’s attention. Thus, mixed model assembly able to meet the client’s expectation promptly.
  • One of the other valuable benefits of this high-mix assembly is it is automated. It works automatically, so it lessens the manpower needed in manufacturing. Directory technology of mixed assembly optimizes every point of the manufacturing process. This technology-based voluntary process minimizes the error of the design format also.
  • Flexible – volume assembly system is very useful to cope up with the change in the environment. The flexibility of the system supports the assembly to work in a wide range of variations in circumstances.
  • The ultimate product form after the policing of every step is much more preferable than any simple manufacturing. There is no hazard found in stocking, delivering, packaging also, as it is also taken good care of by my mixed model manufacturer. It furthermore diminishes inventory also.

How the mixed assembly meets the demand of the industries?

  • Mixed assembly calculates the production strategy through detailed planning. To find the perfect strategy, sometimes administrators of the assembly do offshore and finalize the technique.
  • As the production of service in mixed assembly is wide, the secondary expenditure of manufacturing is cut out. So, the ultimate value of the assembly is far lower than any formal production. On the other hand, offshoring also minimizes the exposition cost by neglecting the mechanical error during production.
  • The layout serves by the assembly is according to the client’s demand. They accustom the model by client’s preference,
  • the products small in size, lightweight, so that it becomes handy to use. The manufacturer tries its very best to make the product manageable.
  • Advanced Technology of mixed model assembly reduces the labor required by replacing it with smart hardware and software. Different tools are used for each distinct purpose. That also good for lowering the man-made error percentage.

Guidelines for successful Mixed Model Assembly

Although the mixed-model assembly is very effective and efficient, some special management is needed to function the assembly properly. And to manage it in order, some proper guidelines need to follow. This guideline helps the assembly to work in a disciplinary manner. The guidelines are –

  • Every work has to be put on the record. That means proper documentation is needed in each step. This document functions as proof of your work. So, if any difficulty finds in the future, it can be reviewed from the document. This documentation standardized the assembly’s reputation.
  • Always recruit dedicated employees with high skills. Employees are the resources of the assembly’s good service delivery. So, make sure the worker of the assembly trained enough to do satisfactory work. If required, arranged some training program to give updated knowledge to the employee.
  • Assembly work is teamwork, so each member’s knowledge is equally important to any other production factors. Every team leader has to look keenly at the efficiency of each team member.
  • Time management is another factor to consider. List down the full schedule of work, and try to follow it strictly to avoid procrastination.
  • Also, make a sequence of the rule for working in order. Always try to provide the service at its given time. Some emergency is considerable, but if the assembly always delays delivering the product, the client loses their trust towards that particular assembly.
  • Always updated the service according to time and the market. The world is evolving every minute, and that means with it, all services also have to modify to stand up to your assembly in the market.

Know the market well, understand the competitor, their strong and weak point, and improve your service by doing all this analysis. Expanse the assigned line for the PCB assembly growth.

By maintaining these guidelines properly, a make-to-order environmentally produce. In this set number of works, the station becomes small, and the employee becomes highly skillful, which eventually makes the assembly updated.
It perfects the process by tree way- balancing the diagrammatic layouts, balancing every prototype, and balancing with the neighborhood searching process.

Conclusion:

Mixed model assembly is used by many important industrial productions now a days. Now with the market’s trend, brief time life cycle products become in-focus light. Formal mass-produced now become out of trend.

It works on the make-to-order strategy with lessened the leading time of the consumer. By this type of strategy, a range of different types of design can produce from one assembly line. So, it is time to rethink your assembly preference, and you want suggestions must try a mixed-model assembly line for the PCB design to sprout in the market. We provide advanced PCB prototypes, high and low volume PCB production, mixed assembly placement in addition to component sourcing, layout rework and destructive testing services to our customers worldwide.

Top Tips to ensure the Success with PCB Box Build Assembly Services!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: September 4, 2024
pcb-box-build-assembly-services

Are you looking for PCB box build assembly services? With a wide range of options available today, finding the right provider can be challenging. A reliable electronic contract manufacturer should offer comprehensive services, including printed circuit board fabrication and PCB assembly, as part of their PCB box build assembly offerings.

To ensure success in your box build assembly projects, it’s crucial to consider several key factors. Understanding these aspects can save you both time and money. Before diving into the best practices for a successful PCB box build, it’s important to first grasp what box build assembly entails. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions and achieve optimal results.

What does the box build assembly of a PCB?

You can also call the box build assembly process a systems integration. Apart from the production process of PCB, all the other assembly work comes under the box build assembly process.

The process of box build assembly involves

  • The fabrication of a PCB.
  • The installation of a PCB.
  • The connection of component wires and cables.

You can use the box to build assembly services in different fields or industries such as the computer industry, aerospace, medical field, telecommunications field and many more. You can also call it a box filled with wires connected or another complex integration process.

You can also say that once the box build assembly is complete, it can be put to market use. Now you must be thinking about what the box builds assembly services include. To solve your query, Let’s get into it.

The PCB box builds assembly services

Each project or product cannot have the same box build assembly service as it varies according to its subject. It can get way more complicated than you think. If you want box build services, then you will have to contact an electronic contract manufacturer.

They will help you to complete the process of PCB box build assembly services. You should check that they are specialized in Box build assemblies. Once you have selected a contract manager, you can begin your services. However, first, you should know about the services included in it, which are as follows:

  • Sub-level product assembly.
  • System-level assembly.
  • Testing.
  • Product assembly.
  • Warehousing.
  • Order fulfillment.
  • Packaging and labeling.
  • Software loading.
  • Product configuration.
  • Repair and aftermath services.
  • Traceability, etc.

Tips to get success with PCB box build assembly services

Once you have confirmed your electronic contract manufacturer, there is various information that you will have to provide them to continue your work further. You should deliver them all the essential information they might need. Then only will you have a successful box build assembly without any hassle? Let’s get down to the information that you will have to provide to your Contract manufacturer.

BOM or bill of materials:

Would you have heard about blueprints? Also, how important blueprints are in various projects. The case of PCB box build assembly is no different. Bill of materials is like a blueprint for the box build assembly of a PCB. The information that you can give in a bill of materials are as follows:

  • Package.
  • Reference number.
  • Item number.
  • Part type.
  • Manufacturer part number.
  • many more.

You should make BOM as accurate as possible since the whole box build assembly service depends upon it.

The product’s dimensions:

Like a bill of materials, the knowledge of a product’s dimension is also important in the box build assembly process. Thus, you will have to provide your electronic contract manufacturer with your product’s dimension so that they can work on the box build of PCB. If your electronic contract manufacturer doesn’t have the details of the dimension of the product, then it can adversely affect:

  • Packaging
  • Shipping and,
  • Warehousing

You should also ask the electronic contract manufacturer if they can work with the projects having such dimensions that you have given. Also, if you have some other packaging or shipping requirements, then you will have to update them with that as well.

Providing A prototype and 3D model:

Apart from providing the details mentioned above, it would be more beneficial to provide your electronics contract manufacturer with a 3D model of your product. If you provide them with a CAD 3D model, they will have the exact idea of what type of product you are expecting of them. They will visualize the project and provide you with a better result if they get a 3D model.

You can also provide them with the prototype, which would help them a lot. It will be easier for the contract manufacturer to Complete a box build PCB if you provide them with a prototype. You will get the accurate outcomes that you want if they are experienced.

Requirements for testing:

You will have to inform the electronic contract manufacturer about your requirements for testing the product. You can ask them about the available testing methods or even tell them about your testing ideas. It is important to discuss the testing requirements beforehand. Some of the testing Include:

  • Functional testing.
  • Basic electrical testing and,
  • Burn-in testing

No difficulties will emerge in the probability if you inform your contract manufacturer regarding the testing requirements beforehand.

Why choose box build services?

PCB box build assembly services can be quite beneficial when producing Electromechanical devices. However, you need to make it certain that you are giving the PCB box build contract to a reliable and experienced manufacturer.

The results would matter if the service providers were not experienced and cannot do their work properly. However, if the contract manufacturer is experienced, you will see loads of advantages, especially in the cost.

Without resulting in any defect to the product, they will help you cut down the production costs. Outsourcing box build assembly is also Beneficial. It will help you save both money and your time as well. They will also see what you cannot and will deliver you the promising results likely.

Conclusion

In the end, we can say that success with PCB box build assembly services is possible through various means. PCB box build service helps integrate a PCB system into two various means: fabrication and the installation of PCB and its wires’ connection. There are several processes in the box build assembly services, which you can see above. We have also provided a list of how you can prepare to have a successful PCB box build assembly without any difficulties. It includes providing a bill of materials, product dimension, 3D model, prototype, testing requirements, and whatnot. If you successfully provide such details to your contract manufacturer, your success with the PCB box build is assured.

TechnoTronix excels in providing tailor-made PCB box build and system assembly services with its fully integrated advanced technologies. We provide a high mix for the low volume box build or low mix for a high-volume PCB box build services. Prior to final production, testing and delivery of many of our electronic products, there involves an interconnected system (cabling) and box build assembly.

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What are the Advantages of Custom Cable Assembly to meet your bespoke needs?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: April 19, 2023
custom-cable-assembly

An off-the-shelf cable harness assembly may look like a convenient, easy to use option. The fact, however, remains that high quality cables that are custom made to suit your bespoke needs can go a long way in meeting the needs of your project accurately.

Here are the many advantages that are offered by custom cable assemblies:

Adaptability

The biggest advantage of custom cable assemblies is the fact that they are manufactured to meet your exact requirements. You need not worry about aspects such as cable length or quality. Not only are you buying exactly what your project needs, what you also get is custom installation to suit your requirements. Accuracy and enhanced functionality are therefore a given! Not only are standard cables hard to manage, they also occupy a lot of space. With custom cables you need not worry about the organization of wires or the space that they tend to consume.

Prototyping

A sizeable advantage that custom cable assembly offers is that of effective prototyping. Prototyping offers you a very clear insight on the design changes etc. that you need to make in order to ensure success of your project. This isn’t possible with standard cables as they will not do justice to your unique requirements.

Quick turnaround time

Quick time to market is the requirement for any project. However, connecting different devices with standard cables is a task that is extremely time consuming. With a custom cable assembly manufacturer, what you have is someone to share your load. What it means is a quick turnaround time and enhanced competitiveness.

Scaling up production

Custom cables are an important component that helps upgrade your production and enables you to achieve your project completion goals.

Quality

In a competitive marketplace, the one thing that you cannot compromise on is project quality. This is one thing that you can ensure with custom cables. Essentially with cables customized to your requirements you can in-build accuracy into your project. What that means is that you do not have to deal with any performance issues later. Additionally, if you opt for a turnkey service provider you also ensure that all the work is done under one roof, thereby taking away any issues that emerge on account of any third parties.

Bespoke features

With custom cables not only are you able to control aspects such as cable length and quality, you also have full control over parameters such as cable protection, jacket color, insulation and more. The fact that when you take delivery, you have already tested it for your specific application is an added perk. Irrespective of how complicated or specialized your needs are a custom fit assembly can match the cable performance to your exact demands.

Cost Saving

While typically custom assemblies are associated with high costs, the fact is that these costs are only upfront. In the long run, you tend to ensure that the cost is more than recovered as you do not have to pay for costly errors. Additionally, you do not waste money on hit and trial, paying for cables that do not meet your specifications. Instead with proper testing of custom cable assemblies you are sure to get working projects. You also do not need to retrofit the assembly to your application and that also results in saving of time.

Also checkout: Cable Assembly Manufacturing Cost

Branding Efficacy

The role of branding in today’s environment cannot be overstated. Branding tends to percolate to several aspects including the product that needs to stick to certain color scheme and aesthetics. With custom cables it is easily possible to stick to your color scheme and overall sense of professionalism.

Eco-friendly

Last but definitely not the least, custom cable setups not only help you remain organized, they also help reduce excessive wastage in the manufacturing process. That you are doing your bit to save the environment, is therefore a given!

To sum up
With the above advantages, it is about time you chose custom cables for your project. From improved efficiency to cost and time saving, there are enough and more reasons that will ratify your decision. Time spent in choosing your custom cable assembly manufacturer will stand you in good stead to ensure the efficacy of your project.

Technotronix designs custom cable assembly for automatic systems, HVAC controls computers, electronic appliances, and defense equipment. We prepare the cable harnessing to meet every industrial requirement and maintain the standard of wire harness cables. Cable assembly from Technotronix; will give you ample solutions to install any electronic appliance in your industry that can reduce cables’ count and provide the best cable solutions. If you have any requirements related to cable harness, wire harness, custom cable assemblies or more, feel free to request a quick cable harness quote.